IR Home
MEPS
Home
Editors
Forthcoming
Information
Subscribe
Journals
Home
MEPS
AME
CR
DAO
ESEP
Search
Subscribe
Book Series
EE Books
Top Books
ESEP Books
Order
EEIU Brochures
(pdf format)
Discussion Forums
Home
Research
Endangered Species Programs
Institutions
International Ecology Institute
Eco-Ethics International Union
Foundation
Otto Kinne Foundation
 | |
MEPS 254:27-35 (2003)
|
Abstract
|
Stable coexistence in marine algal host-virus systems
Runar Thyrhaug1,2,*, Aud Larsen1, T. Frede Thingstad1, Gunnar Bratbak1
1Department of Microbiology, University of Bergen, Jahnebakken 5, Postbox 7800, 5020 Bergen, Norway
2Present address: Nordland Research Institute, 8049 Bodø, Norway
*Email: runar.thyrhaug@nforsk.no
ABSTRACT: All microalgal host-virus systems isolated to date are lytic: the viruses lyse the infected hosts within hours after infection. Moreover, current models of phytoplankton host-virus interactions predict rapid extinction of both host and virus.
Nevertheless, marine phytoplankton and their respective viruses do coexist in marine ecosystems. To investigate this apparent paradox we performed a series of experiments which show that phytoplankton populations always recover after virus-induced lysis
and that endemic viral infections may promote survival of the host population. We hypothesize that phenotypic plasticity of algal susceptibility to viral infection makes such coexistence of host and virus possible.
KEY WORDS: Phytoplankton · Marine viruses · Coexistence · Viral ecology
Full text in pdf format
Published in MEPS Vol.
254
(2003) on June 4
Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599.
Copyright © Inter-Research, Oldendorf/Luhe, 2003
|
